Sporting KC II v Louisville City FC: Preview, Starting XI, and Prediction

Update 12:47 PM CT: This game has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test within the SKC II organization until Wednesday, August 19th. The story has been updated to reflect that. Here is the statement from Sporting:

“The USL Championship announced today that Wednesday’s scheduled match between Sporting Kansas City II and Louisville City FC has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Proceeding with an abundance of caution, the postponement comes after a covered person in the Sporting KC II organization tested positive for COVID-19.”

Sporting Kansas City II vs St. Louis FC

When: Wednesday, August 19th, 7:00 PM CT

Where: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

How to Watch: ESPN+ ($4.99/month or 49.99 annually)

Coming off a full week of rest for the first time since their restart, Sporting KC II will make their third visit to Louisville for a matchup with Lou City.

In the two previous meetings with each other this season, both teams grabbed a win after Lou City won the first meeting 1-0 before SKC II grabbed their first win of the season a few days later. Stealing a term from the baseball world, Wednesday’s match will be the ‘rubber game’ until they meet for a fourth and final time in their regular season finale in early October.

Paulo Nagamura’s side have impressed since the restart with a very well organized team that will be looking to remain unbeaten for their fourth consecutive match, something that hasn’t been done since September of 2018. Perhaps the most impressive of all the players has been 18 year old SKC Academy product Brooks Thompson, who has conceded four goals in four matches with one clean sheet, and was also up for USL Championship Fans’ Choice Save of the Month for July.

Sporting II will look for their second straight win at Lynn Family Stadium, but are coming off a heartbreaking draw against St. Louis FC after giving up a goal with the last kick of the game.

If there is a winner in Wednesday’s contest, they will take the third place spot in Group E. Both sides enter with a record of 2-3-1, but SKC II have the tiebreaker advantage with a -1 goal differential while Louisville sit with a -2 goal differential.

Louisville City FC

Lou City will host SKC II for the third time within a month coming off a 1-1 draw against the Indy Eleven. Louisville captain Speedy Williams found the opener with a header inside the opening three minutes before Tyler Pasher equalized in the 57th minute.

Under the management of John Hackworth, Lou City have had just two scorers this season, as veteran forward Cameron Lancaster has notched three goals while captain Speedy Williams has scored a pair from their opening six matches this season.

Coming off their third straight USL Cup Final appearance in 2019, Lou City will be fighting with St. Louis FC and Sporting II just to qualify for the playoffs, something they have yet to miss out on since their 2015 debut season. Lou City enter with a record of 2-3-1 and in fourth place despite being level on points with SKC II.

Predicted Starting XI

Likely going with what will be the strongest lineup possible, I predicted just one change from the 1-1 draw last week as Petar Cuic could replace Danny Barbir.

Head coach Paulo Nagamura saw some promising signs from his two wingers last match (Mompremier and Mushagalusa), and he will need them to continue to improve and provide more in the attack.

Final Prediction

I believe that Sporting KC II can grab their third win of the season, but it all depends on if they can uphold what has been a strong defense so far this season. Lou City played well in their 1-1 draw and created some decent opportunities, so SKC II can’t afford to allow Louisville to generate as many chances.

For my final prediction, I am going with a 2-1 win for Sporting KC II with goals from Wilson Harris and Dominik Resetar off the bench.